Mosquitoes can be pests and often interfere with the quality of life. Most important, mosquitoes are known carriers of diseases to humans. The more severe human diseases transmitted by mosquitoes are St. Louis encephalitis, Western Equine encephalitis, and possibly West Nile encephalitis. These viruses are transmitted by mosquitoes and can be fatal to humans and other animals.

Most mosquitoes are active at dusk and just before dawn. They also prefer areas that are shady, humid, and where there is little wind. The best protection would be to stay inside after dusk and just before dawn. However, this would be a very restrictive life style and not possible for many.

The Memphis & Shelby County Health Department's Mosquito Control Program has a very aggressive surveillance component with great emphasis placed on obtaining accurate intelligence on local mosquito activities.

Female mosquitoes are the ones that bite. A "blood meal" is required in order to develop eggs. 24 hours after hatching, a female mosquito flies off in search of a meal. She searches for body odor, moisture, warmth, and the carbon dioxide we exhale. When she bites, she injects a bit of saliva that slows coagulation so blood flows freely. Your body's allergic reaction to the saliva is what causes the welt and the itch later on.